Construction began in early January on a state-of-the-art facility that will serve as the new headquarters for the growing Chickasaw Lighthorse Police Department.
“Ensuring public safety is a responsibility the Chickasaw Nation takes seriously, and we have continually added more resources toward that effort in recent years,” said Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby. “In keeping with that responsibility, we are confident that this new facility will offer a centralized location for the new personnel, equipment and resources, and allow for more efficient communication and deployment of those resources to serve the public.”
Located directly south of the current Lighthorse headquarters in Ada, Oklahoma, the planned 72,000-square-foot facility will consolidate all Chickasaw Nation Office of Tribal Law Enforcement services and personnel under one roof.
According to Chickasaw Nation Commissioner of Tribal Law Enforcement Randy Wesley, the new facility will benefit all Lighthorse employees and strengthen law enforcement services throughout the Chickasaw Nation.
“The new building will enhance public safety,” Wesley said. “Having all Lighthorse employees in one location will improve workflows and ensure stronger communication and continuity across all public safety needs of our citizens, visitors and partner agencies.”
Since its reestablishment in 2004, the Chickasaw Lighthorse Police Department has steadily expanded into a department that now employs more than 200 personnel, including more than 160 full-time sworn officers. The department brings together four divisions and five specialized teams to better serve the public and meet the diverse public safety needs of the Chickasaw Nation.
Chickasaw Lighthorse divisions include patrol, criminal investigations, administrative services and support services. Specialized teams consist of SWAT, dive, honor guard, peer support and K-9 units. The new facility will also house emergency communications, detention administration offices and training classrooms.
For more information about the Chickasaw Lighthorse Police Department, visit ChickasawLighthorsePolice.net.